Outline of the Project

Project Name

Project for Strengthening Water Management Transfer

Country

The Arab Republic of Egypt

Date of Agreement

25 July, 2012

Project Site

Pilot sites to be selected

Cooperation Period

November 10, 2012 - March 9, 2016

Implementing Organization

Central Dept. for Irrigation Advisory Service (CDIAS), Irrigation Dept., Ministry of Water Resources & Irrigation

Background:

Egypt faces many challenges in managing water resources with increasing water consumption by rapid population growth and expansion of farmland to increase agricultural production and job opportunities. It is difficult for Egypt, however, to develop new water resources since the amount of water intake from Nile River is limited to 55.5 billion tons by the bilateral agreement with the Republic of Sudan.

The National Water Resources Plan (NWRP) 2017 aims to improve efficiency of available water, to conserve water quality, and to develop new water resources. It refers to developing necessary water resource by improving efficiency of agricultural water use which dominates more than 80% of water use. The plan emphasizes rehabilitation of irrigation facilities, reuse of agricultural drainage water and improvement of water management.

In this context, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) considers the management transfer of irrigation facilities (Irrigation Management Transfer: IMT) to the Water Users' Organization (WUO) as one of the most important measures for the efficient use of agricultural water resources. IMT to the tertiary irrigation canal (mesca) has already been done. Currently MWRI is working on the implementation of IMT to the Branch Canal Water Users Association (BCWUAs) as well as the revision of related laws.

JICA has supported Water Management Improvement Project (WMIP) over two phases. In the phase 1 from 2001 to 2007, minor irrigation facilities had been improved in the pilot site and the WUOs had been established participatory. The second phase of WMIP, from 2008 to 2012, put emphasis on the capacity development of the staff of the Central Department for Irrigation Advisory Service (CDIAS) which supervise and manage WUOs. CDIAS and its field agencies utilize project experiences in the management of other WUOs.

Nevertheless, necessary system and structure for the management transfer is not yet clear as the detailed implementation plan has not established. In addition, the number of capable WUOs is still limited in the national level.

Purpose

Overall goal:

Management of the branch canal is transferred to BCWUAs nationwide.

Project Purpose:

Implementation structure for water management transfer nationwide is established in MWRI.

Outputs

1. Methodology for strengthening capacity of BCWUAs for management transfer is clarified through activities in the pilot site(s).
2. Systems to implement practical trainings for administrators and WUOs sustainably are established.
3. A road map ^[1] toward the implementation of management transfer is shared among stakeholders.

Project Activities

1-1.	MWRI analyzes problems for the management transfer in aspects of policy and implementation, in reference to national policies such as NWRP2017.
1-2.	MWRI identifies the roles and responsibilities of each party, namely MWRI, local authorities and WUOs.
1-3.	MWRI determines pilot sites based on the selection criteria.
1-4.	MWRI conducts trials of management transfer to BCWUAs at selected pilot site(s).
1-5.	Local administrators and BCWUAs jointly plan and implement irrigation facilities' repair of target BCWUAs.
1-6.	MWRI compiles the management transfer manual.

2-1.	TSWRI conducts needs survey on trainings for WUOs.
2-2.	MWRI organizes trainings of trainers for TSWRI and CDIAS.
2-3.	TSWRI organizes trainings for administrators in charge, such as GDIAS and DIAS staff, to facilitate the capacity development of WUOs.
2-4.	Local administrators, GDIAS and DIAS staff, who attended a training of above 2-3, organize trainings for WUOs to develop their capacity for operation and management.
2-5.	TSWRI compiles the training manuals.

3-1.	MWRI formulates the general strategy including monitoring/evaluation methodology for management transfer based on the result of activities relating Output 1 and 2.
3-2.	MWRI drafts a road map, as a concrete plan of the MWRI policies, for implementing management transfer.
3-3.	MWRI summarizes advantages and related information to facilitate legislation process of BCWUAs/DWBs' status and management transfer as parts of NWRP2017.
3-4.	MWRI collaborates with other projects on management transfer supported by other development partners.

Input from the Japanese side

• Dispatch of Experts
  Long-term experts: Chief Advisor/Water Management, Water Users' Association, Project Coordinator/ Training
  Short-term expert(s): 4-5M/M/year as necessary
• Training In Japan/third country: 10 person/year
• Machinery and Equipment: Computers, Measuring instruments

Input from the counterpart

• Placement of the counterpart personnel (35 person; CIDAS 10, Planning Section(PS) 5, TSWRI 10, General Directorate Irrigation Advisory Service of the project sites 10)
• Project Office (CDIAS and PS)
• Running expenses necessary for the implementation of the Project
• Available data (including maps and photographs) and information related to the Project